Interpretation of the He (賀) Clan Totem

Definition of the Character: "賀" (He) carries the meaning of adding wealth or goods. It specifically refers to celebrating or congratulating an occasion by offering gifts. The character is composed of "Add" (加) and "Shell/Money" (貝), visually representing the bestowal of riches.

Origin: The surname originates from the Jiang (姜) royal surname of the State of Qi.

• 1. During the Spring and Autumn period, Qing Feng, a great-grandson of the famous Duke Huan of Qi (Jiang Xiaobai), served as the Left Chancellor. After Duke Jing of Qi ascended the throne, Qing Feng fled to the State of Wu, where King Yuzhai granted him the land of Zhufang (modern-day Dantu, Jiangsu). His lineage flourished there.

  2. By the Eastern Han Dynasty, the Qing descendants had moved to the Kuaiji and Ruyin regions. A prominent descendant, Qing Chun, served as a Palace Attendant (Shizhong). When Emperor An (Liu Hu) took the throne, it became necessary to observe a naming taboo for the Emperor's father, Liu Qing (the Prince of Qinghe). Because the characters "慶" (Qing) and "賀" (He) share similar meanings of celebration, Qing Chun changed his surname to He Chun. His descendants thereafter carried the He surname.

• Ancestral Founder: He Chun (formerly Qing Chun)

• Ancestral Homeland: Dantu, Jiangsu Province

• Prefectural Seats and Hall Names: Kuaiji (Shaoxing), Henan, Guangping; Siming Hall

• Current Rank / Population: 86th most common / Approx. 2.74 million

• Song Dynasty "Hundred Family Surnames" Rank: 70th

• Extant Genealogies: 105 volumes